Historic Vote: Rep. George Santos expelled from Congress

In a historic move, the House of Representatives voted on Friday to expel Rep. George Santos (R-N.Y.), marking him as the sixth and first Republican lawmaker to be ousted in U.S. history. The decision, led by House Ethics Committee Chair Michael Guest, passed with a 311-114 vote, exceeding the required two-thirds majority.

This follows revelations of Santos’ extensive fabrications during his 2022 campaign and his indictment on multiple federal charges, including wire fraud and money laundering.

The expulsion comes after a New York Times investigation uncovered Santos’ resume fabrications and subsequent reports of dubious financial dealings. Despite initial resistance from Republican leadership and calls for due process, the House Ethics Committee’s report detailing “substantial evidence” of unlawful conduct swayed many lawmakers.

Santos’ seat will now be determined by a special election, with candidates from both parties, including former Rep. Tom Suozzi, vying for the position. This expulsion underscores the consequences of ethical violations in U.S. politics and the bipartisan agreement on maintaining integrity in the House.